UnitiServe - a few queries

Posted by: Musicmad on 25 October 2015

Present system:
QNAP NAS (FLAC) - Virgin (Netgear) Router - NDX - nDAC - SN1 - NaCA5 (2x4m) - ProAc TriTower speakers (I use AssetNAS mostly and occasionally MinimServer)
+
CD5x + FC2x (analogue into SN1)

In summary: very good but I should like to replace the CD player with one which has a digital-out ... without going to the cost of a new Naim CDP which will have very limited use.

I have a large-ish digital library on the NAS and rarely play CDs but can't bring myself to dispense with the ability to play them (excluding in a PC or DVD player).

I'm thinking of moving over to a UnitiServe-SSD but have a few reservations. Hence my queries ...

From reading the Manual, this tells me that the US-SSD will find music on the network but, in order to access such music, it must convert the music directory(ies) into Music Stores.

Qn.1: does this mean such directories are then no longer readable by non-Naim systems .. i.e. are the files altered ... or is second (duplicate Music Store) directory created, leaving the original unchanged?

As a PC (Windows 7) user I am interested in the DeskTop Client feature but ask:

Qn.2: does DTC allow you to access/choose/select music, etc. or merely "play around" with the directories and undertake admin?

My present system does suffer from the dreaded "can't play" anomaly ... I can't get to grips with what causes this (QNAP or Router or NDX or ???).

Qn.3: those who use a US: do you suffer this problem?

Many thanks for any useful replies which will help me make my decision as to buy or not.

Cheers,

Mitch

Posted on: 26 October 2015 by ChrisSU

Much as I like my Unitiserve, I don't think it would be a priority if I was in your position. (I wouldn't want a CD player either, as it happens.) I agree that your amplification could be improved, and if you can cope with the extra boxes, I'd think about separate pre/power amps.

Posted on: 26 October 2015 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Originally Posted by Musicmad:

I can imagine suggesting to my better-half that I replace the SN1 with a SN2 will require some strong convincing evidence.

Just make sure that you borrow a well run-in unit, and leave to play, quietly, with a playlist of her favourite music that you have thoughtfully put together. It will provide all the evidence she needs.

Jan

Posted on: 26 October 2015 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Originally Posted by ChrisSU:

I agree that your amplification could be improved, and if you can cope with the extra boxes, I'd think about separate pre/power amps.

Maybe or maybe not. It depends on the room, the demands of the speakers and the listening level required. The SN2 is the closest you can get to separates in Naim, and might just be all that is needed.

I've just (once again) moved my 82/HiCap/250 downstairs to the dedicated listening room and replaced them with the SN2. For 95% of our listening, the SN2 is far superior to those separates. Also, should the need for more power present itself, the SN2 can become a top-notch preamp, equal to that of the 272.

Jan

Posted on: 26 October 2015 by Sloop John B

System balance is very important, if I were you it's amplification I'd be looking at.

Either ditch the the cdp or stick with what you have, it's no slouch.

Supernait 2 or 202/200 is where I'd be looking.

SJB

Posted on: 26 October 2015 by nbpf

Originally Posted by Musicmad:

I'm not saying that the nDAC hasn't brought benefits, sound-wise ... it's just that I haven't allowed myself to discover them. In Jan 14 I replaced the Logitech SBT with the NDX - massive, unbelievable improvement in sound ... and then a few days later installed the nDAC. Hence I've never been able to distinguish whether the improvement is due solely to the NDX or improved further by the separate DAC. I like to believe the latter, else I should admit to not getting much benefit from the extra £2k spend.

If you have doubts about the benefits the nDAC brings to your system, you can always bypass it for a test. You should notice a difference for the worse. If not, you should probably look carefully at the rest of your chain, including connections, before considering upgrading. If everything is fine and you happen to prefer the DAC of the NDX to the nDAC, then you have improved and simplified your system and freed £2k! Best, nbpf

Posted on: 27 October 2015 by Bart

Originally Posted by Jan-Erik Nordoen:

Originally Posted by Musicmad:

I can imagine suggesting to my better-half that I replace the SN1 with a SN2 will require some strong convincing evidence.

Jan

A bit of apples and oranges, but the moment I first started playing music on my brand-new-out-of-the-box SN2, my wife said essentially, "wow what a difference." This was vs. the Nait XS that we'd had for over a year.